Thomas Gilbert Jr., a Princeton graduate, is speaking publicly nearly a decade after he was convicted of murdering his father, hedge-fund founder Thomas Gilbert Sr., in their Manhattan apartment in 2015. In a recent interview with Court TV, Gilbert maintained his innocence despite evidence against him, including identification by his mother shortly after the shooting. He is currently serving a sentence of 30 years to life.
The incident occurred after a dispute over Gilbert's allowance, which had been reduced from $1,000 a week. Prosecutors stated that Gilbert shot his father in the head and attempted to stage the scene as a suicide. During the interview, Gilbert expressed a desire to present his case, claiming that the narrative surrounding his conviction overlooks key facts.
Gilbert's mental health has been a topic of discussion, with reports indicating he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, prosecutors argued that his actions before and after the murder demonstrated awareness of wrongdoing. A jury rejected his insanity defense, concluding that he acted with intent when he committed the crime. Gilbert's mother, Shelley Gilbert, has expressed concern over her son's mental health and advocated for psychiatric treatment instead of prison.
The case has drawn significant media attention, and the recent interview has reignited discussions about Gilbert's mental state at the time of the murder and the circumstances surrounding the crime.